Somali Sultanates in British Somaliland

[Ahmed-Gurey]

Amongst the Isaaq, the Habar Awal have one Sultan, who is of the Sa’ad Muuse sub-clan and a stipendiary of the administration. The Isse Muuse sub-clan have on various occasions tried to appoint their own Sultan to express their autonomy and sense of independence from the Sa’ad Muuse but have so far not established a permanent title. The Iidagalle clan has Sultan paid by the Protectorate government. The Habar Yuuunis have none, although there is a pretender to the with a small following. The Habar Tol Ja’lo have recently created the position, but their Sultan, who belongs to the Muuse Abokor segment of the clan, is not recognized by all the Habar Tol Jalo and does not receive a salary from the administration. The Dulbahante have two Sultans (Garaads), one for each of the two large segments into which the clan is divided. The Garaad of the Mahamuud Garaad, is recognized by the Government and receives a stipend. Garaad Jaama’ of the Faarah has only recently been recognized, having successfully maintained his prestige by opposing the Administration. Finally in the Protectorate, the Garaad of the Warsangeli, the most celebrated and strongest of Northern Sultans, is recognized by the Administration and receives a salary.”

[Ahmed-Gurey]

I.M. Lewis writes,

"Vestiges of a similar degree of centralized administration on the pattern of a Muslim Sultanate, survive today in the Protectorate amongst the Warsangali. Prior to 1920, the Garaad had at his command a small standing army with which, with British support, he fought Sayid Mahamad Abdille Hassan’s forces. But Garad’s powers’ are dwindling under modern administration. Sultanates such as these, generally only arose on the coast or through commanding an important trade route, and were largely dependent on the possession and control of a port or other exploitable economic resources. They were in direct trade and diffuse political relations with Arabia, received occasional Arab immigrants, and were the centres from which Islam expanded with trade into the interior. The Sultanates had to fight to maintain their positions of supremacy against the periodic incursions of raiding parties of nomads, and their authority was never great."